What you can change on your Twitter profile

Twitter lets you change four main things about how you appear to other users: your display name (the name people see when they read your posts), your bio (the short description under your name), your profile picture, and your header image (the banner at the top of your profile). You can change any of these at any time, and there's no limit to how many times you do it. The changes take effect when ready across Twitter.

Your username — the @handle that appears in your profile URL — cannot be changed through the same settings. If you need a different username, you'll need to create a new account or contact Twitter Support, which is why most people change their display name instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name, bio, profile picture, and header image can all be changed from your account settings in under a minute.
  • Changes appear when ready to everyone following you and viewing your profile.
  • Your username (@handle) cannot be changed — only your display name can.
  • You can revert to a previous profile picture or header image if you change your mind.
  • Profile pictures must be in JPG, PNG, or GIF format and smaller than 5 MB.

How to change your display name

Open Twitter and tap or click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the screen (on mobile) or look for your profile icon in the top navigation bar (on desktop). Select "Settings and privacy" from the menu that appears.

Once you're in Settings, tap or click "Account" in the left sidebar. Then select "Account information." You'll see a field labeled "Name" — this is your display name. Tap or click in that field and type the new name you want. Twitter allows up to 50 characters. When you're done, tap or click "Save" at the bottom of the screen. The change takes effect when ready.

How to change your bio

Follow the same first steps: open the three-dot menu, select "Settings and privacy," then go to "Account" and "Account information." Below the Name field, you'll see a larger text box labeled "Bio." This is where you write a short description of yourself — Twitter allows up to 160 characters here.

Click or tap in the bio box and type or paste your new bio. You can include a website link, emoji, or plain text. When you're finished, tap or click "Save." Your bio updates when ready and appears on your profile page directly under your display name.

How to change your profile picture

Go to your profile page by tapping or clicking your profile icon, then select "Profile." You'll see your current profile picture in the top left of your profile header. Tap or click directly on the picture — a menu will appear with options to upload a new photo or remove the current one.

Select "Upload photo" and choose an image from your device. Twitter accepts JPG, PNG, and GIF files, and the file must be smaller than 5 MB. Once you select the image, Twitter will show you a preview and ask you to crop or adjust it. You can drag the image around or use the zoom slider to position it how you want. When you're satisfied, tap or click "explore" and then "Save." Your new profile picture appears when ready on your profile and next to all your posts.

How to change your header image

On your profile page, you'll see a large banner image at the very top — this is your header. Tap or click anywhere on that header image, and a menu will appear with options to upload a new image or remove it. Select "Upload photo" and choose a file from your device using the same format rules as your profile picture (JPG, PNG, or GIF, under 5 MB).

Twitter will show you a preview of how the header will look on your profile. You can adjust the position by dragging the image or using the zoom controls. Once you're happy with it, tap or click "explore" and then "Save." The new header image appears at the top of your profile when ready.

What happens when you change your profile information

All changes to your display name, bio, profile picture, and header image take effect when ready. Anyone viewing your profile will see the new information right away. Your followers will see your updated display name next to your posts in their feed, though older posts will still show your previous name if they scroll back to them.

If you change your mind about a profile picture or header image, you can go back to the same upload menu and select "Remove photo" to delete it, or upload a different one. Twitter keeps a history of your recent profile pictures, so you may be able to restore a previous one if you remember when you used it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username or @handle?

No, you cannot change your @handle through settings. If you need a different username, you must create a new account. Your display name (the regular name people see) can be changed anytime, which is why most people change that instead of their username.

What image formats work for profile pictures and headers?

Twitter accepts JPG, PNG, and GIF files for both profile pictures and header images. The file must be smaller than 5 MB. If you have an image in another format like WEBP or TIFF, you'll need to convert it to one of these three formats first using a free online converter or image editing software.

How many characters can I use in my bio?

Your bio can be up to 160 characters long. This includes letters, numbers, spaces, emoji, and punctuation. If you paste text and it's too long, Twitter will tell you how many characters you need to remove.

Will my followers see my old display name in their notifications?

Your followers will see your new display name when ready in their feed and on your profile. Older posts and retweets will show your new name when viewed, not your old one.

Can I upload a GIF as my profile picture?

Yes, Twitter accepts GIF files for profile pictures, though the animation will not play — only the first frame of the GIF will show as your static profile picture.